Kontiola, who has spent the past five seasons in the KHL, has struggled this preseason in his attempt to return to the NHL. "I'm not doing that well right now and I know it," a clearly dejected Kontiola told TSN. "That's about it."

Kontiola knows he's in a battle for a job with the Leafs, but he's prepared to play whatever role the team sees fit to win a spot, reports the National Post. "This isn’t a guy that we’ve got pencilled in on the first line or the fourth line," said general manager Dave Nonis. "He’s got the skill set that he can play multiple positions. If we need a guy to play in the top-6, would he fit into that position? Yes, there’s no reason not to think that."

Kontiola last played in the NHL in 2007-08 when he picked up five points in 12 games with the Hawks. Last year, he led the KHL's Chelyabinsk Traktor with 37 points in 53 games, ahead of teammates, former NHLer Andrei Kostitsyn and Caps' prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov. He has also excelled for Finland in international play and is versatile enough to play center or right wing. It's this versatility - and his offensive touch - that makes us think the Leafs are eyeing him for the starboard side of the second line. He'll compete with Mike Santorelli for that gig and with Peter Holland for the spot as third-line center, but it's a bit of a crap shoot either way. The Leafs will likely slip him to fourth-line center if he fails to impress on NHL ice. The risk feels bigger than the reward here.

2009-10

Acquired at the trading deadline from the Blackhawks, Kontiola spent much of his season in the AHL. There aren't many reasons to believe he won't spend the bulk of the 2009-10 season there as well.

2008-09

Kontiola saw action in 12 games with the Hawks last season, and with a strong showing in training camp this year, could find himself ingrained in the team's larger plans. The Hawks love his intelligence and tenacity. They believe he can play on scoring and checking lines, giving him a greater opportunity to see ice time in the near future. He's still getting acclimated to the North American game. 2007-08 was the first season the native Fin spent on this side of the pond.